Abstract: The present invention includes a method of changing intensity of a reflected beam which may be expressed as a method of changing the amount of reflected light from a beam of light, the method comprising: (a) providing a substrate bearing a film of a reflective material; (b) directing a first beam of light at a reflecting point upon the reflective material so as to create a reflecting beam therefrom; (c) directing a second beam of light at the reflecting point upon the reflective material so as to alter the amount of light in the reflecting beam, and (d) detecting the change in the amount of light in the reflecting beam. The invention also includes an apparatus for changing the amount of reflected light from a beam of light and measuring that change, as well as related apparatus for providing a pulsed optical signal by changing the amount of reflected light from a beam of light.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus by which power is controlled in a hybrid electric vehicle such that high levels of performance and efficiency are realized. The present invention includes a method and apparatus developed to optimize the use of energy in a hybrid vehicle application from the hybrid energy storage device. The method and apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful with energy storage devices there the energy state, such as the state of charge, is readily determined by an easily measured attribute. Ultracapacitors and hydraulic storage cylinders are examples of the types of energy storage devices to which the present invention may be applied.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of determining the presence of keratin, particularly hard keratin, such as exists in mammalian hair and feathers, and objects comprising such materials. The method of the present invention also includes displaying information derived from such a determination, as well as a measurement method followed by transmission of data to a remote processing site for analysis or display. The invention also includes devices for carrying out the determination, display and/or transmission.

Abstract: The present invention is a golf tee and golf tee system, and method for its use, which system includes a golf tee adapted to allow a person to determine the desired position of a teed golf ball with respect to a desired striking position on the golf club face of a golf club striking the teed golf ball once the tee is placed, the golf tee comprising: (a) a cup portion; (b) a stake portion, the stake portion having at least one measurement scale and a guide scale, each scale having respective corresponding indicia, the measurement scale being arranged so as to allow the player to determine the desired striking position on the golf club face, and the guide scale having respective corresponding indicia so as to allow a person to determine the attachment position of a removable insertion restriction portion; and a plurality of receivers aligned along the stake portion and adapted to releasably attach the removable insertion restriction portion; and (c) a removable insertion restriction portion, adapted to be remov

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for remote curing of resin-coated surfaces and articles by means of a vaporous curing agent. The method of the present invention includes the steps: (a) providing a surface of the substrate with a layer of a coating precursor comprising a curable material and a stabilized curing agent that is adapted to react with a gaseous, vaporous or aerosol initiating agent to activate the stabilized curing agent so as to cause the curable material to undergo a curing reaction; (b) subjecting the coating precursor to the gaseous, vaporous or aerosol initiating agent for sufficient time to initiate the curing reaction, and allowing the coating precursor to form a cured coating on the substrate. Another variation of the method of the present invention involves the reversal of the positions of the active compounds utilizing the interaction between the gaseous, vaporous or aerosol curing agent and coating precursor comprising a curable material and initiating agent.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus by which power is controlled in a hybrid electric vehicle such that high levels of performance and efficiency are realized. The present invention includes a method and apparatus developed to optimize the use of energy in a hybrid vehicle application from the hybrid energy storage device. The method and apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful with energy storage devices there the energy state, such as the state of charge, is readily determined by an easily measured attribute. Ultracapacitors and hydraulic storage cylinders are examples of the types of energy storage devices to which the present invention may be applied.

Abstract: A rail brace assembly is adapted to buttress the head of a stock rail selected from one of two different stock rail groups mounted on the top surface of a brace plate. The assembly includes a stop block assembly also is affixed to the brace plate top surface. A rail brace moveable between a first brace position in which it buttresses the head of a rail from a first stock rail group and a second brace position in which it buttresses the head of a rail from a second stock rail group, has a pair of spaced side walls, a upwardly facing top surface, first rail group head and base fishing surface contact areas, second rail group head and base fishing surface contact areas, a first rail group brace plate contact surface and a second rail group brace plate contact surface. An elastic fastener cooperates with a clip housing to clamp the rail brace against the stock rail.

Abstract: The present invention is a security system for preventing theft of hanging merchandise. The present invention includes a security package system for a product to be placed on a hanging display, the package comprising: (a) a product package of a relatively thin plastic material and having a top portion which has a front and rear, the top portion having an aperture adapted to receive a hang support; (b) a locking member of a relatively thick plastic material and having a front and rear portion so as to removeably fit over the top portion of the product package and having apertures in the front and rear portions that are positioned so as to align with the aperture of the top portion when in position over the top portion.

Abstract: The invention includes RNA complexes comprising at least three monomeric units of an RNA molecule, each monomeric unit comprising an RNA polymer having first and second helical domains that have respective first and second binding sites, wherein the first binding sites are adapted to binding to one another and are not adapted to bind to the second binding sites, and the second binding sites are adapted to binding to one another and are not adapted to bind to the first binding sites; such that the at least three monomeric units are adapted to self-assemble by forming pairs of cognate interactions and so as to form the RNA complex in a circular closed complex. The invention also includes derivatives of these complexes including aptamers, and analytical methods and devices using same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for grasping, retaining, inverting, coating and transporting a plurality of frangible conical confection shells. The present invention also relates to a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing system for producing frozen cone confections and the like.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for processing solid waste products. The apparatus comprises a rotatably mounted cylindrical vessel having a first end, a second end and an interior surface, at least one end terminating in a hatch that may be opened to allow access to the interior of the vessel and sealably closed to allow pressurization of the vessel; a steam inlet for injecting stem disposed at one or both ends; a plurality of substantially straight blades protruding from the interior surface of the vessel, and each the blade extending substantially the entire length of the vessel, so as to be capable of transporting waste material from the bottom of the vessel toward the top of the vessel, and releasing the waste material to fall to the bottom of the vessel. The apparatus also includes one or more actuators for moving the vessel between a position wherein the first end is higher than the second end and a position wherein the second end is higher than the first end.

Abstract: A plastic bag with a removable coupon section and a method for forming plastic bags with removable coupon sections is presented. The bag comprises a bag portion and a coupon portion. The coupon portion comprises two flaps. Each flap representing at least one coupon. The coupons are separable from the bag portion due to perforations. Where multiple coupons are contained on the same flap, the coupons may be separated from one another due to perforations. The flaps are either not joined to one another due to notching of the plastic film from which they are formed or are separable due to welded perforations. This enables the coupons the be individually removed without disturbing other coupons. In the method for making the plastic bags with a removable coupon section, a roll of plastic film is folded over onto itself and welded together. The initial weld forms the bottom of the bag portion. The coupon portion may be perforated to assist in the separation of the coupon from the bag portion.